2024 is a unique year for democracy as billions of people will cast their votes in over 50 countries. Major challenges are at stake in these elections: strengthening of electoral autocracies, digital disinformation and threats to journalists and activists. IDS research fellows will be joined by guest speakers from Africa, Asia and Latin America to discuss them.
Elections are due to be held in countries including Pakistan, India, Taiwan, South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda, Mexico, the United States, and the UK. The elections in South Asia alone will see more than one billion people have their say at the ballot box. But will these elections be free and fair? Can people have their say at the polls?
Not all elections held present the best example of functioning democracy. Some elections will strengthen electoral autocracies. Digital disinformation and threats to journalists and human rights activists are part of the challenges to be faced. So are the ways groups are excluded from participation and deliberation of issues.
In this seminar, guest speakers from the NGO Article 19 will share how they have been working to face these challenges during the elections that recently took place Taiwan and preparing for the upcoming elections in Senegal and Mexico. The role of social media companies in (dis)information and Article 19’s #EyesOnElections campaign will also be discussed during the seminar.
IDS research fellows Sohela Nazneem and Tony Roberts will share their perspectives and the findings from their research on gender and elections in Bangladesh and South Asia, and digital disinformation in Africa.
Speakers
- Alfred Bulakali, Article 19 regional director for Senegal & West Africa.
- Alfred Wu, Article 19 head of Asia-Pacific Programme.
- Barbora Bukovska, Article 19 law and policy director.
- Leopoldo Maldonado, Article 19 regional director for Mexico & Central America.
- Sohela Nazneen, IDS Research Fellow.
- Tony Roberts, IDS Research Fellow.
Chair
Lucia Nader, PhD researcher at IDS and board member of Article 19.
How to watch
This event is in-person only.
This event is in the IDS Convening Space which is on the 1st floor of the IDS Building. If you need to use the lift, then press 1A. If you have any accessibility needs for this event, then please email: [email protected]
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